Chapter 39: Exchanging Insights

After dropping Zhu Yuelan off at the palace gates, Chen Kan, who had been slacking off for most of the day, finally remembered that he was supposed to be at work.

He sauntered toward the entrance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, only to bump right into Li Jinglong, who was walking in the opposite direction, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Hey, brother, where have you been? Your new clothes are a mess."

Chen Kan gave a bitter smile. "It’s a long story, Duke. To be honest, I nearly lost my life by the Qinhuai River today."

Upon hearing this, the look in Li Jinglong’s eyes shifted instantly. He leered, "Oh? I didn't think you were into that sort of thing. Why didn't you say so sooner? I would have taken you along."

Chen Kan’s face darkened. "It’s a long story. Let’s go inside and talk."

"Right, right, right. We brothers can exchange notes." Li Jinglong flashed a knowing, masculine grin and urged him on. "Come on, let's go."

...

"What?"

"You say you nearly died by the Qinhuai River because you were ambushed by assassins?"

"Keep your voice down, Duke." Chen Kan clamped a hand over Li Jinglong’s booming mouth. He glanced around to ensure no one had overheard them before whispering, "What else did you think it was?"

"I thought, well, heh heh heh, don't mind me, brother."

Looking at Li Jinglong’s buffoonish expression, Chen Kan was speechless. With such a dim-witted ally, he was not optimistic about the prospects of the campaign to curtail the power of the princes.

Realizing his misunderstanding, Li Jinglong cleared his throat and his expression turned indignant. "It’s always been us, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, making trouble for others. I never imagined the tables would turn—someone actually dared to assassinate one of our own! They must have a death wish." He thumped his chest with a heavy thud. "Rest assured, brother, I’ll take care of this. I will drag the mastermind out and have them torn limb from limb to vent your anger."

Chen Kan looked moved. "Many thanks for your concern, Duke. However, I already know who the mastermind is. I only need you to deal with him."

"Oh? And who is it, daring to pluck the whiskers of our Guard?"

"Zhu Ji-xi."

"How bold!" Li Jinglong roared. "Which Zhu Ji-xi?"

Chen Kan replied innocently, "The Prince of Jin, Zhu Ji-xi, of course. Is there anyone else in the capital who would dare go by that name?"

"I suddenly remembered I haven't paid for my afternoon nap at the Weicui Pavilion. Excuse me, brother, see you later."

Li Jinglong turned to leave, only to find he couldn't move his feet. Looking back, he saw Chen Kan clutching his leather belt with a pathetic expression.

"Sigh!" Li Jinglong exhaled heavily. He looked at Chen Kan and said, "Brother, follow me."

Li Jinglong led Chen Kan into a secret chamber. Once the door was shut, he turned to him, looking deadly serious. "Does anyone else know about this?"

"Yes," Chen Kan confirmed.

Li Jinglong’s face soured.

"If it weren't for Fang Xu, a banner officer under Centurion Xing Fang, saving me today, I would have died before my mission even began. However, they didn't find any clues on the assassins, and I’m not foolish enough to share my suspicions with them."

Hearing this, Li Jinglong’s expression softened slightly. He nodded slowly. "The matter of curtailing the princes is of paramount importance; the fewer people who know, the better. This Fang Xu and his men... they cannot be allowed to remain."

Chen Kan frowned. Regardless of the circumstances, Fang Xu had saved his life today. Chen Kan didn't consider himself a saint, but he couldn't bring himself to repay kindness with murder.

Li Jinglong saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking. He shook his head and said sternly, "Brother, if you want to accomplish great things, you cannot afford the luxury of soft-heartedness."

Chen Kan understood the logic. Even now, the curtailment of the princes remained a taboo subject that no one in the court dared to touch. But he couldn't bring himself to snuff out innocent lives, especially those of his own savior.

"Duke, you mentioned I have a thousand-man garrison under my command. Can’t you transfer this man to my unit?"

Li Jinglong shook his head. "What if he leaks the secret?"

Chen Kan argued, "While the plan hasn't been brought to the table yet, everyone knows it's coming. What exactly could he leak? Besides, this wasn't their fault. If anyone deserves to die, it’s Zhu Ji-xi."

"This is a delicate situation where one move affects the whole; we cannot take that risk." Li Jinglong remained hesitant.

*Everyone already knows about it,* Chen Kan thought, *what risk is there to take?*

Chen Kan impatiently pulled the memorial he had written that morning from his sleeve and handed it over. "Don't worry, Duke. I have a foolproof plan. You'll see once you read it."

Li Jinglong accepted it with a skeptical look. *I’ve been working on this for ages without a clue, and you come up with a foolproof plan in a day? Pull the other one!*

He opened the memorial, and the words "Strategy for Curtailing the Princes" caught his eye.

"Strip them of their military power, leave them their titles, and keep the princes in confinement."

As he read the opening, his expression became serious. Li Jinglong might be a buffoon, but he wasn't incapable of recognizing quality. From the very first sentence, Chen Kan’s memorial clearly stated the imperial court’s future stance toward the princes.

As he read on, Li Jinglong grew increasingly alarmed.

"Hiss..." He drew a sharp breath, sucking his teeth in shock. He then held the memorial over a candle flame, watching until it was reduced to nothing but ash.

"Brother," he muttered, "isn't this a bit too ruthless?"

Chen Kan shook his head. "The danger the princes pose to the nation was made evident during His Majesty’s campaign. To ensure the long-term stability of the Great Ming, stripping them of military power isn't enough. I am doing this for the sake of our descendants, so they may live in peace."

Li Jinglong frowned. "But if we take their military power and their fiefdoms, there is no guarantee they won't simply rebel."

"That," Chen Kan replied, "is for His Majesty to consider."

Li Jinglong stroked his chin for a long moment before shaking his head. "This matter... we must first ask for His Majesty’s opinion."

"That is exactly what I was thinking. Given my low standing, I’m afraid I must trouble you, Duke, to personally make a trip to the palace."

Li Jinglong’s eyes lit up. Was Chen Kan’s plan feasible? It was incredibly feasible. And the fact that Chen Kan was asking him to present it to the palace meant he was willing to hand over all the credit.

Li Jinglong feigned modesty. "Brother, this... strictly speaking, this is your plan..."

"We are brothers; why split hairs? If it succeeds, it’s a credit to both of us. If it fails, we shall both be beheaded together. If you talk like that, you’re treating me like a stranger."